Joe Biden should now give way to an alternative candidate
His last and greatest political act would help rescue America from an emergency
![The American flag as a fire alarm adorned with the words 'break glass in case of emergency'.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240628_LDD001.jpg)
IN NOVEMBER 2022 The Economist said that, after a lifetime of public service, Joe Biden should not seek re-election as president. In January this year we put our concerns on the cover. But even those worried about his age were not prepared for Thursday’s debate against Donald Trump. Over 90 agonising minutes, Mr Biden was befuddled and incoherent—too infirm, frankly, to cope with another four years in the world’s hardest job.
Explore more
More from Leaders
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240810_LDP002.jpg)
Why Ethiopia and Nigeria must press on with reforms
Currency liberalisation alone is not enough
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240810_LDD002.jpg)
Will America’s economy swing the election?
It is not entering recession, but it is slowing down. That is bad news for Kamala Harris
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20240810_LDD003.jpg)
Bangladesh has ousted an autocrat. Now for the hard part
A caretaker leader, Muhammad Yunus, must try to rebuild democracy
How to respond to the riots in Britain
Punish the thugs. Stand up for immigration. And improve local services
Banning the opposition won’t save Thailand’s unpopular regime
Once again, the army pretends its critics are anti-royal
Is Tim Walz the right vice-presidential running-mate for Kamala Harris?
Progressives like him, but the presidential candidate will need to find ways to win over moderates